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TV's 37 Most Difficult (Yet Valued) Mentors and Role Models

Television isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about living vicariously through the lives of fictional characters and learning along with them especially when they learn the hard way (though we’re spared that agony ourselves). How cool is that? Of course, we all love handsome characters with dreamy eyes and perfect bodies who always say the perfect thing, but we also love those exacting and exasperating TV mentors from whom we learn some of life’s most valuable lessons. This is why we've come up with a list of characters who mentor or have influence over other characters—and whom we learn from just by watching. Though we may not always agree with their methods, and sometimes they teach best what NOT to do it’s always the toughest ones who teach us the most. Let’s get started with our list, which is in no particular order. Did we forget anyone? Let us know in the comment section below.